[ad_1]
One of many extra bitter tablets to swallow is that of the Steelers latest loss a number of weeks in the past throughout the NFL’s first “Tremendous Wild Card Weekend”.
In a rematch from Weeks 6 and 17 throughout the common season, the Pittsburgh Steelers would as soon as once more face their AFC North division rival, the Cleveland Browns. The rivalry, nonetheless, wasn’t fairly because it as soon as was – often one of many groups has to maintain it fascinating.
Within the case of the Steelers, they hadn’t misplaced to Cleveland frequently in over a decade. Head Coach Mike Tomlin was a mixed 22-4-1 towards the Browns in his profession heading into the ultimate week of the common season. QB Ben Roethlisberger, who would sit out the ultimate recreation of the 12 months, had by no means misplaced to the Browns at house, with a 13-0 report.
In reality, till this season, Large Ben additionally held the report for many wins by a quarterback at First Vitality Stadium, the house of the Cleveland Browns. He’s now second to an precise Browns quarterback, with Baker Mayfield having taken the report for himself.
Sadly, these video games didn’t go as deliberate for the Steelers.
Compelled right into a situation the place there was nothing to realize by a victory, Mike Tomlin determined to relaxation lots of his starters in Week 17, which was a must-win recreation for the Browns to make the playoffs. Their win, mixed with the collapse of the Miami Dolphins in December, noticed Cleveland make their first postseason in 18 years, organising a rematch the next weekend towards Pittsburgh.
The Steelers, who began the season 11-0, have been as soon as on the quick observe to Tremendous Bowl LV. Nevertheless, an terrible begin which noticed a foul snap by C Maurkice Pouncey, in addition to a number of interceptions by Roethlisberger, put the Steelers behind 28 factors, during which they have been unable to get better.
It’s most likely one of the crucial anxious losses that the Steelers received’t quickly neglect, as they dropped two consecutive video games to Cleveland. As the odds detoured to the Browns, right here’s how that Steelers Wild Card match could change the group for years to return.
Quarterback Place
Ben Roethlisberger’s cap hit has been the topic of controversy even earlier than the season started.
Many have been skeptical of the cash tied up within the quarterback’s contract as he approached an unbelievable comeback.
Roethlisberger returned, impressed, then regressed, sending everybody on an emotional rollercoaster experience that jumped from “he’s again”, to MVP talks, after which potential retirement.
The Week 17 contest gave followers a glimpse of whether or not or not Mason Rudolph may additionally take the reigns if and when Ben steps, or is pressured, apart. The low-risk addition of Dwayne Haskins may present upside and/or insurance coverage for both Ben or Mason, ought to both falter in 2021. (Additionally offered Haskins doesn’t fall out of favor earlier than then as he did in Washington.)
Regardless, the loss pressured the Steelers to start out desirous about their future with out Roethlisberger. Seemingly sad with earlier quarterback additions Joshua Dobbs and Devlin Hodges, Haskins will now compete for a roster spot this Summer season.
They may nonetheless be joined by one other to-be-named participant or perhaps a draft decide, however for now, everyone knows based mostly on the final month, that the group is objectively maintaining a tally of the place by giving Rudolph enjoying time and signing Haskins to a one-year deal.
Offensive Coaches
Offensive Coordinator Randy Fichtner was doubtless on his approach out earlier than the 2020 season even kicked off.
Final 12 months, the Steelers added a quarterbacks coach for the primary time in two seasons since Fichtner took over because the OC. Beforehand, Fichtner had manned each positions, however former Pitt offensive coordinator Matt Canada got here in to educate the QBs.
Canada was already rumored to be a scorching NFL teaching prospect. With the Steelers bringing him aboard, indicators have been pointing to him as a possible alternative for Fichtner, ought to his contract not be renewed past 2020.
It wasn’t.
After rumors leaked of Canada’s promotion, the group made the announcement official on Monday after conducting a spherical of interviews which included the likes of Hue Jackson and Pep Hamilton.
Tight ends coach James Daniel additionally stepped apart with a deliberate retirement. The group lately introduced Alfredo Roberts as his alternative. Roberts spent the final 4 seasons as a operating backs coach with the Chargers and has 17 years of varied teaching expertise working with completely different offensive place teams.
As of publishing this text, the Steelers are additionally trying to exchange offensive line coach Shaun Sarrett, who was let go following the season too.
The adjustments level to enhancing a mediocre offensive output by the Steelers during the last two seasons, the place they’ve completed thirtieth in yards and twenty seventh in factors in 2019, and twenty fourth and twelfth respectively in 2020.
Retirements
The axe has already fallen on at the least one Steelers participant who can be strolling away from soccer, however extra may very well be coming.
Tight finish Vance McDonald introduced his retirement final weekend after enjoying eight seasons, cut up between the 49ers and Steelers.
A tough and tumble participant now coming into his 30’s, the transfer wasn’t all too stunning as McDonald’s title began to floor as a possible cap casualty heading right into a 2021 offseason the place the Steelers want to search out financial savings for his or her roster spending. (Which is at present $21 million over the cap.)
Might extra retirements be coming?
Some speculated on what it meant when Ben Roethlisberger and Maurkice Pouncey sat on the bench following the conclusion of the Wild Card recreation whereas everybody else went into the locker room. Many figured this is likely to be the 2 long-time pals saying goodbye.
These rumors additional circulated within the days following, then cooled off earlier than being warmed once more by Pittsburgh space reporter Gerry Dulac (who isn’t one to typically make speculative statements corresponding to these).
One other offensive lineman may be on his approach out, as Alejandro Villanueva’s contract expires heading into 2021 free company. At 32 years of age, Villanueva had a number of fascinating interviews about his present-day lifetime of avoiding social media (he doesn’t personal a smartphone) in addition to his every day routine. Criticism of his play this season mixed with turning into a free agent don’t bode properly for his professional profession. He may merely retire and stroll away after incomes a wholesome $24 million contract in 2017.
Yet one more participant to keep watch over is CB Joe Haden, who turns 32 in April.
Haden, who was drafted within the first spherical by the Cleveland Browns, missed each alternatives for revenge video games on the finish of the season resulting from being positioned on the COVID-19 record.
Cap Hits
Haden at present accounts for the third-largest cap quantity on the group for 2021. With one season remaining on his deal, the Steelers may save $7 million in cap area by releasing the veteran earlier than June 1st.
Nonetheless one final title so as to add to the record is Ben Roethlisberger himself. As famous above, Ben has an enormous cap quantity – $41.2 million. Nevertheless, solely $19 million of that may be a financial savings to the group, ought to they transfer on from Ben earlier than the third day of the brand new league 12 months which begins in March.
Maurkice Pouncey represents the sixth-largest cap hit on the group and would save $8 million towards their 2021 accounting if he have been not with the group this upcoming season.
Free Brokers
The 2017 Steelers draft class will even be scheduled to hit free company in March. This contains JuJu Smith-Schuster, James Conner, and Cameron Sutton.
CB Mike Hilton and LB Bud Dupree are two different defensive starters who’re set to turn into unrestricted free brokers additionally.
With the Steelers present cap woes it could come right down to an either-or situation with a number of of the gamers listed on this part and the cap hits above.
Ultimate Ideas
The Cleveland loss undoubtedly represents a lot of robust selections for the Steelers going ahead. They’ve already reduce ties with coaches who weren’t productive sufficient to get the job down towards the Browns.
They might even be going through that with two gamers, Roethlisberger and Pouncey, who have been chargeable for the collapse.
In addition they noticed what their group regarded like with out Joe Haden roaming the secondary as properly.
As is the enterprise of professional soccer we are able to’t count on the identical group to stay collectively for very lengthy. Even two or three years is a lifetime within the NFL. The one certainty is that the 2021 version of the Steelers will look drastically completely different from the one we noticed in 2020.
[ad_2]
Source link
